Comparative genome sequencing to assess the genetic diversity and virulence attributes of 15 Vibrio anguillarum isolates.

Vibrio anguillarum is the causative agent of vibriosis, a deadly haemorrhagic septicaemic disease affecting various marine and fresh/brackish water fish, bivalves and crustaceans. However, the diversity and virulence mechanisms of this pathogen are still insufficiently known. In this study, we aimed to increase our understanding of V. anguillarum diversity and virulence through comparative genome analysis of 15 V. anguillarum strains, obtained from different hosts or non-host niches and geographical regions, among which 10 and 5 strains were found to be virulent and avirulent, respectively, against sea bass larvae. First, the 15 draft genomes were annotated and screened for putative virulence factors, including genes encoding iron uptake systems, transport systems and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases. Second, comparative genome analysis was performed, focusing on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions and deletions (InDels). Five V. anguillarum strains showed a remarkably high nucleotide identity. However, these strains comprise both virulent and avirulent strains towards sea bass larvae, suggesting that differences in virulence may be caused by subtle nucleotide variations. Clearly, the draft genome sequence of these 15 strains represents a starting point for further genetic research of this economically important fish pathogen.

[The health of children in the Netherlands: relatively healthy, but lifestyle raises some concerns]. / De gezondheid van de Nederlandse jeugd: relatief gezond, maar leefstijl vraagt aandacht.

Dutch young people are generally healthy, and more than 80% of them feel healthy and happy. This percentage is high compared with other European countries. Infant mortality rates are low, and the prevalence of most health problems among children is less than 10%. However, children from risk groups more often engage in unhealthy behaviours or have psychosocial problems. Adolescents smoke and drink less than they did 10 years ago, but extreme alcohol use has increased. The number of overweight children has stabilised in the past few years, but remains at a high level. These trends are expected to follow the same line in the future. Attention to the increasing use of social media is important, and the increasing number of high-risk children will also require attention. Due to these changes, along with policy changes in the provision of healthcare services for young people, intensive communication and cooperation between general practitioners, healthcare physicians, and care workers responsible for young people is increasingly important.

Rapid detection and identification of viral and bacterial fish pathogens using a DNA array-based multiplex assay.

Fish diseases can be caused by a variety of diverse organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa, and pose a universal threat to the ornamental fish industry and aquaculture. The lack of rapid, accurate and reliable means by which fish pathogens can be detected and identified has been one of the main limitations in fish pathogen diagnosis and fish disease management and has consequently stimulated the search for alternative diagnostic techniques. Here, we describe a method based on multiplex and broad-range PCR amplification combined with DNA array hybridization for the simultaneous detection and identification of all cyprinid herpesviruses (CyHV-1, CyHV-2 and CyHV-3) and some of the most important fish pathogenic Flavobacterium species, including F. branchiophilum, F. columnare and F. psychrophilum. For virus identification, the DNA polymerase and helicase genes were targeted. For bacterial identification, the ribosomal RNA gene was used. The developed methodology permitted 100% specificity for the identification of the target species. Detection sensitivity was equivalent to 10 viral genomes or less than a picogram of bacterial DNA. The utility and power of the array for sensitive pathogen detection and identification in complex samples such as infected tissue is demonstrated in this study.

Vibrio anguillarum as a fish pathogen: virulence factors, diagnosis and prevention.

Vibrio anguillarum, also known as Listonella anguillarum, is the causative agent of vibriosis, a deadly haemorrhagic septicaemic disease affecting various marine and fresh/brackish water fish, bivalves and crustaceans. In both aquaculture and larviculture, this disease is responsible for severe economic losses worldwide. Because of its high morbidity and mortality rates, substantial research has been carried out to elucidate the virulence mechanisms of this pathogen and to develop rapid detection techniques and effective disease-prevention strategies. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge pertaining to V. anguillarum, focusing on pathogenesis, known virulence factors, diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

Bipolar transurethral resection in saline--an alternative surgical treatment for bladder outlet obstruction?

PURPOSE: The transurethral resection in saline system uses bipolar energy for transurethral prostate resection, thus, avoiding the need for glycine irrigation and its associated complications. We compared the clinical efficacy and safety of bipolar transurethral resection in saline and of monopolar transurethral prostate resection for symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2006, 238 consecutive patients with symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia were randomized into a prospective, controlled trial comparing the 2 treatment modalities. Patient demographics, operative time, hospital stay and complications were noted. Serum hemoglobin and electrolytes were determined in all patients immediately before and after the endoscopic procedure. RESULTS: During 18 months 120 patients were randomized to the conventional transurethral prostate resection group and 118 were randomized to the transurethral resection in saline group. Patient profiles, weight of resected prostatic tissue and duration of hospitalization were similar in the 2 groups. The decrease in serum sodium and serum chloride was statistically significantly greater in the transurethral prostate resection group than in the transurethral resection in saline group (each p = 0.05). The transurethral resection in saline procedure required significantly more time (mean 56 vs 44 minutes, p <0.01). There was 1 case (0.8%) of transurethral resection syndrome in the transurethral prostate resection group but none in the transurethral resection in saline group. Postoperative bleeding did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. Clot retention was observed in 6 (5%) and 4 patients (3%) in the transurethral prostate resection and transurethral resection in saline group, respectively. Two repeat interventions were required in the transurethral prostate resection group. CONCLUSIONS: The bipolar transurethral resection in saline system is as efficacious as monopolar transurethral prostate resection but it is safer than the latter because of the lesser decrease in postoperative hypernatremia and the smaller risk of transurethral resection syndrome. However, probably due to technical reasons, transurethral resection in saline operative time is significantly longer.

Effects of antibullying school program on bullying and health complaints.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an antibullying school intervention in elementary schools. DESIGN: Two-year follow-up randomized intervention group-control group. SETTING: Forty-seven elementary schools in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand eight hundred sixteen children aged 9 to 12 years. INTERVENTION: During the first study year, an antibullying school program was implemented in the schools in the intervention group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A questionnaire measuring bullying behavior, depression, psychosomatic complaints, delinquent behavior, and satisfaction with school life and peer relationships was filled out by the students at 3 times to obtain the following data: a baseline measurement, a first-effect measurement at the end of the first year, and a second-effect measurement at the end of the second year. RESULTS: The number of bullied children decreased by 25% in the intervention group compared with the control group (relative risk, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.98). The intervention group also showed a decline in the scale scores of victimization (-1.06 vs 0.28; P< .01) and active bullying behaviors (-0.47 vs 0.12, P< .05). Self-reported peer relationships also improved in the intervention schools (0.48 vs 0.11; P< .05), and there was a trend for a decrease in reported depression in the intervention schools (-0.33 vs -0.10; P< .10). At follow-up, there were no differences between the intervention and control groups for the outcome measures. Schools had also lowered their antibullying activities during the second study year. CONCLUSIONS: An antibullying school policy can reduce bullying behavior. To keep bullying at a consistently low level, schools must continue antibullying measures every year. Continued counseling may help schools in their efforts to establish a lasting antibullying policy.

Do bullied children get ill, or do ill children get bullied? A prospective cohort study on the relationship between bullying and health-related symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: A number of studies have shown that victimization from bullying behavior is associated with substantial adverse effects on physical and psychological health, but it is unclear which comes first, the victimization or the health-related symptoms. In our present study, we investigated whether victimization precedes psychosomatic and psychosocial symptoms or whether these symptoms precede victimization. DESIGN: Six-month cohort study with baseline measurements taken in the fall of 1999 and follow-up measurements in the spring of 2000. SETTING: Eighteen elementary schools in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 1118 children aged 9 to 11 years, who participated by filling out a questionnaire on both occasions of data collection. OUTCOME MEASURES: A self-administered questionnaire measured victimization from bullying, as well as a wide variety of psychosocial and psychosomatic symptoms, including depression, anxiety, bedwetting, headaches, sleeping problems, abdominal pain, poor appetite, and feelings of tension or tiredness. RESULTS: Victims of bullying had significantly higher chances of developing new psychosomatic and psychosocial problems compared with children who were not bullied. In contrast, some psychosocial, but not physical, health symptoms preceded bullying victimization. Children with depressive symptoms had a significantly higher chance of being newly victimized, as did children with anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Many psychosomatic and psychosocial health problems follow an episode of bullying victimization. These findings stress the importance for doctors and health practitioners to establish whether bullying plays a contributing role in the etiology of such symptoms. Furthermore, our results indicate that children with depressive symptoms and anxiety are at increased risk of being victimized. Because victimization could have an adverse effect on children's attempts to cope with depression or anxiety, it is important to consider teaching these children skills that could make them less vulnerable to bullying behavior.

Bullying behavior and associations with psychosomatic complaints and depression in victims.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between bullying behavior and a wide variety of psychosomatic health complaints and depression. Study design In a cross-sectional study, 2766 elementary school children age 9 to 12 years filled out a questionnaire on bullying behavior and health complaints. Three groups-bullied children, active bullies, and children who both bully and are bullied-were compared with the group of children not involved in bullying behavior. Subsequently, risks for psychosomatic symptoms and depression were calculated by means of odds ratios. RESULTS: Bully victims had significantly higher chances for depression and psychosomatic symptoms compared with children not involved in bullying behavior. Odds ratios were as follows: headache, 3.0; sleeping problems, 2.4; abdominal pain, 3.2; bed-wetting, 2.9; feeling tired, 3.4; and depression, 7.7. Children who actively bullied did not have a higher chance for most of the investigated health symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Being bullied is strongly associated with a wide range of psychosomatic symptoms and depression. These associations are similar to the complaints known to be associated with child abuse. Therefore, when such health complaints are presented, pediatricians and other health care workers should also be aware of the possibility that a child is being bullied to take preventive measures.